Storm-water fee hearing May 26

A public hearing on the reduction of storm-water pollution-prevention fees to the city of Santa Clarita is scheduled for May 26.

The city is looking to reduce the fees because the Los Angeles County Flood Control District changed its formula for calculating storm water run-off fees, which cut rates for homeowners. The new rates, plus a conscious effort by the city to reduce fees during the recession, chalked up to savings for 86 percent of homeowners, Darren Hernandez, Santa Clarita city treasurer, said.

Storm-water fees pay to keep runoff from polluting waterways, Hernandez said. The fees are based on the amount of runoff each parcel produces, he said. "A parking lot is nearly impervious and produces more runoff than a vacant lot or low-density housing," he said.

The fees are collected from property owners through property taxes.

The savings don't become official until the city holds a public hearing. "If we change the way we calculate fees, we have to go to the people and hold a public hearing," he said.

The public hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. May 26 at the Santa Clarita City Hall, 23920 Valencia Blvd. inside the City Council Chambers. Public protest letters must be received by the meeting. A simple majority of homeowners in the area must submit protest letter to stop the fee reduction.